


■je^' 



Political and Judicial Divisions 



Commonwealth of Georgia. 



By CHARLES EDGEWORTH JONES. 



ATLANTA, GA. 

J AS. P. EIakrison a Co., Printers and Publishers. 

(Fr.\nklin Publishing Housb.) 

18!>2. 



Political and Judicial Divisions 



Commonwealth of Georgia. 



— ^^ / 

By CHARLES EDGEWORTH JONES. 






K^SHifi 



GV 



ATLANTA, GA. 

Jas. P, Harrison & Co., Printers and Publishers. 

(Franklin Publishing Housb.) 

1892. 



to my father, 

Colonel Charles C. Jones, Jr., LL. D., 

this tract 

is affectionately inscribed. 



EARLIEST DIVISION. 



" Deeming it conducive to the convenience of the inhabi- 
tants and promotive of good government, the trustees, on the 
15th of April, 1 741, divided the province of Georgia into two 
counties, — Savannah and Frederica. The former included all 
settlements upon the Savannah River and upon both banks of 
the Great Ogeechee River, and such additional territory south 
of the latter stream as should be designated when a proper 
map of the country could be prepared. Within the latter 
were embraced Darien, Frederica, and the entire region lying 
south of the Alatamaha River." (See History of Georgia^ 
by Charles C. Jones, Jr., LL. D. vol. i, p. 416. Boston, 
18S3.) 

PARISHES. 

One of the most interesting Acts passed by the legislature 
during the administration of Henry Ellis, the second Royal 
Governor of Georgia, was that dividing the several districts of 
the province into parishes, providing for the establishment of 
religious worship according to the rites and ceremonies of the 
Church of England, and for other purposes. This Act was 
approved on the 15th of March, 1758 (Watkins' Digest, pp. 
52-54), and by it the province of Georgia was erected into 
eight parishes. According to its provisions the "town and 
district of Savannah, extending up the river Savannah, in- 
cluding the islands therein, as far as the southeast boundar^' 
of Goshen, from thence in a southwest line to the river Great 
Ogeechee; and from the town of Savannah eastward, as far 
as the mouth of the river Savannah, including the sea islands 
to the mouth of the river Great Ogeechee, and all the settle- 
ments on the north side of the said river to the western bound- 
aries thereof," constituted the parish of Christ Church. 



6 

The district of Abercorn and Goshen, and the district of 
Ebenezer, "extending from the northwest boundaries of the 
parish of Christ Church up the river Savannah as far as the 
Beaver Dam, and southwest as far as the mouth of Horse 
Creek on the river Great Ogeechee," were constituted a 
parish by the name of Saint Matthew. 

The district of Halifax, extending from the northwest bound- 
aries of Saint Matthew's parish up the Savannah River from 
the mouth of McBean's Swamp to the head thereof, and from 
thence to the head of Lambol's Creek and to the Great 
Ogeechee River, was erected into a parish and called Saint 
George. 

"The district of Augusta, extending from the northwest 
boundary of the parish of Saint George, and southwest as far 
as the river Ogeechee, and northwest up the river Savannah 
as far as Broad River," was designated as the parish of Saint 
Paul. 

"The town of Hardwick, and district of Ogeechee, on the 
south side of the river Great Ogeechee, extending northwest 
up the said river as far as the Lower Indian Trading Path 
leading from Mount Pleasant, and southward from the town 
of Hardwick as far as the swamp of James Dunham, in- 
cluding the settlements on the north side of the north branches 
of the river Midway, with the island of Ossabaw, and from 
the head of the said Dunham's Swamp, in a northwest line," 
were denominated the parish of Saint Philip. 

Sunbur}^, in the district of Midway and Newport, and all 
the territory "from the southern bounds of the parish of Saint 
Philip, extending southward as far as the north line of Samuel 
Hastings, and from thence southeast to the south brancii of 
Newport, including the islands of Saint Catharine and Ber- 
muda, and from the north line of the said Samuel Hastings 
northwest," constituted the parish of Saint John. 

"The town and district of Darien, extending from the south 
boundary of the parish of Saint John to the river Alatamaha, 
including the islands of Sapelo and Eastwood, and the sea 
islands to the north of Egg Island, and northwest up the river 



Alatamaha to the forks of the said river," were formed into 
the parish of Saint Andrew. 

"The town and district of Frederica, including the islands 
of Great and Little Saint Simon, and the adjacent islands," 
were to constitute the parish of Saint James. 

(As to these parishes see likewise Jones' History of Georgia, 
vol. I, pp 524-5, and McCall's History of Georgia^ vol. i, pp 
285-6. — Savannah, 181 1.) 

In accordance with the provisions of an Act assented to 
March 25, 1765, (Watkins' Digest, p 114), the territory 
lying between the rivers Alatamaha and St. Mary, which had 
a little while before been annexed to the province of Georgia, 
was divided into four parishes. Section II of this Act declares 
that "all that space or tract of land, lying and being between 
the river Alatamaha and the north branch of Turtle river, and 
from the head of the said last mentioned river in a northwest 
line," shall be known as the parish of Saint David; "and from 
the north branch of Turtle river to the southern branch of the 
river Little Satilla, and from the head of the said river Little 
Satilla, in a northwest line," shall constitute the parish of 
Saint Patrick; "and from the southern branch of the river 
Little Satilla to the southern branch of the river Great Satilla," 
shall be designated as the parish of Saint Thomas; "and from 
the southern branch of the river Great Satilla to the southern 
branch of the river Saint Mary, and from the head of the said 
river Saint Mary in a due west line, including all the islands 
within the said boundary," shall form the parish of Saint Mary. 

By section IV of the Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Wat- 
kins' Digest, p. 8), it was provided that from and of the 
twelve parishes as aforesaid, the counties of Richmond, Burke, 
Effingham, Chatham, Liberty, Glynn and Camden, should be 
formed. The parish of St. Paul constituted Richmond countv; 
that of St. George was erected into the county of Burke. The 
parish of St. Matthew, and the upper part of St Philip, above 
Canouchee, were designated as the county of Effingham; 
while Christ Church parish and the lower part of St. Philip, 
below Canouchee, became Chatham county. The parishes of 



8 

St. John, St, Andrew, and St. James formed the county of 
Liberty; those of St. David and St. Patrick composed the 
county of Glynn ; and the parishes of St. Thomas and St. 
Mary were denominated the county of Camden. 

The ceded lands north of the Ogeechee river constituted an 
eighth county, which was called Wilkes. 



COUNTIES. 



Georgia at present consists of one hundred and thirty-seven 
counties. They are as follows: 

Appling. — See Land Lottery Act* of December 15, 1818 
(Lamar's Compilation, p. 417), establishing it. 
Named in honor of Colonel Daniel Appling, 
of Columbia county, who distinguished himself 
in the war of 181 2. 

Baker. — See Act of December 12, 1825 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 130), establishing it. Called after 
Colonel John Baker, of Revolutionary memory. 

Baldwin. — See Land Lottery Act of May 11, 1803 (Clay- 
ton's Compilation, p. loi), establishing it. 
Called after Hon. Abraham Baldwin, Signer 
from Georcria of the Federal Constitution of 
1787, etc. 

Banks. — See Act of December 11, 1858 (Laws of 1858, 
p. 30), establishing it. Called after Dr. Richard 
Banks, for many years a leading man in North- 
eastern Georgia, who resided at Gainesville. 



*It may be well to state that there have been eight Land Lottery Acts pro- 
mulgated at various times in Georgia. The first of these Acts passed the 
General Assembly of the Commonwealth in 1803, and the last to receive the 
a'^sent of that body bore date December 21, 1831. 1S06, 1818. 1819, 1821, 1825, 
and 1830 are the years with which the passage of the other Land Lottery 
Acts is associated. Land Lotteries were devised mainly with a view to the 
distribution of the public lands acquired by the Commonwealth through 
treaties with the red men. The subject of Land Lotteries has been discussed 
by Absalom H. Chappell in his Miscellanies of Georgia, etc. (Columbus Ga., 
1S74). 



10 

Bartow. — See Act of December 6, 1861 (Laws of 1861, 
p. loi), by which the name of Cass county 
(established by Act of December 3, 1832, 
Laws of 1832, p. 57, and called after Hon. 
Lewis Cass), was changed to that of Bartow, 
in honor of General Francis S. Bartow, who fell 
at the first battle of Manassas. 

Berrien. — See Act of February 25, 1856 (Laws of 1855-56, 
p. ri2), establishing it. Named after Hon. 
John McPherson Berrien, Judge, United States 
Senator from Georgia, Attorney-General of the 
United States during General Jackson's admin- 
istration, etc. 

Bibb. — See Act of December 9,1822 (Dawson's Compilation, 
p. 122), establishing it. Named in honor of 
Dr. William W. Bibb, Member of Congress, 
United States Senator from Georgia, etc. 

Brooks. — See Act of December 11, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 
35), estabHshing it. Called after Hon. Preston 
S. Brooks, Member of Congress, etc. 

Bryan. — See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury & Craw- 
ford's Digest, p. 167), establishing it. Named 
in honor of Jonathan Bryan, the patriot. 

Bulloch. — See Act of February 8, 1796 (Marbury & Craw- 
ford's Digest, p. 169), establishing it. Named 
.after Hon. Archibald Bulloch, President and 
Commander-in-Chief of Republican Georgia in 

1776. 

Burke. — See Sect. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 
(Watkins' Digest, p. 8), estabHshing it. Named 
in honor of Edmund Burke, the great champion 
of American Liberty. 



11 

Butts. — See Act of December 24, 1825 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 130), establishing it. Called after 
Captain Samuel Butts, who lost his life in the 
battle of Chalibbee, January 27, 1814. 

Calhoun. — See Act of February 20, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, 
p. 284), establishing it. Called after Hon. John 
C. Calhoun. 

Camden. — See Sec. IV., Conslitution of Georgia of 1777 
(Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named 
after that fearless defender of Colonial rights, 
the Earl of Camden. 

Campbell. — See Act of December 20, 1828 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 139), estabhshing it. Called after 
Hon. Duncan G. Campbell, one of the two com- 
missioners appointed by President Monroe in 
1824, to treat with Creek Indians for the sale of 
their lands. 

Carroll. — See Act of December 11, 1826, (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 132), establishing it. Called after 
the Hon. Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, a signer 
from Maryland of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. 

Catoosa. — See Act of December 5, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, 
pp. 286-7), estabhshing it. Indian name. 

Charlton. — See Act of February 18, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 
290), establishing it. Called after Hon. Roberi 
M. Charlton, Judge, United Senator from Geor- 
gia, etc. 

Chatham. — See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 
" (Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named 
in honor of the celebrated Earl of Chatham. 



12 

Chattahoochee. — See Act of February 13, 1854 (Laws of 
1853-4, pp. 288-90), establishing it. Indian 
name. 

Chattooga. — See Act of December 28, 1838 (Laws of 1838, 
p. 77), establishing it. Indian name. 

Cherokee. — See Act of December 26, 1831, (Laws of 1831, p. 
74), establishing it. Indian name. 

Clarke. — See Act of December 5, 1801 (Clayton's Compila- 
tion, p. 35), establishing it. Named in honor of 
General Elijah Clarke, of Revolutionary mem- 
ory. 

Clay. — See Act of February 16, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 
292), establishing it. Called after Hon. Henry 
Clay. 

Clayton. — See Act of November 30, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 
26), establishing it. Called after Hon. Augus- 
tin S. Clayton, Judge, Member of Congress, etc. 

<Uinch. — See Act of February 14, 1850 (Laws of 1849-50), 
p. 126), establishing it. Named in honor of 
General Duncan L. Clinch. 

Cobb. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 57), 
establishing it. Called after Hon. Thomas W. 
Cobb, Judge, Member of Congress, United 
States Senator from Georgia, etc. 

Coffee. — See Act of February 9, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 
294), establishing it. Called after Hon. John 
Coffee, of Telfair county, Member of Congress, 
etc. 

Colquitt. — See Act of February 25, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, 
pp. 108-9), tistablishing it. Called after Hon. 
Walter T. Colquitt, Judge, United States Sena- 
tor from Georgia, etc. 



13 

Columbia. — See Act of December lo, 1790 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 163), establishing it- 
Named in honor of Christopher Columbus. 

Coweta. — See Act of December 11, 1826 (Dawson's Compila- 
tion, p. 132), establishing it. Indian name. 

Crawford. — See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 122), establishing it. Called after 
Hon. William H. Crawford, one of Georgia's 
most distinguished citizens. 

Dade. — See Act of December 25, 1837 (Laws of 1837, p. 65), 
establishing it. Called after Major Francis 
Langhorne Dade, U. S. A., who was killed by 
the Indians in Florida, in December, 1835. 

Dawson. — See Act of December 3, 1857 (Laws of 1857, pp. 
32-3), establishing it. Called after Hon. Wil- 
liam C. Dawson, United States Senator from 
Georgia, etc. 

Decatur. — See Act of December 8, 1823 (Dawson's Compila- 
tion, p. 126), establishing it. Named in honor 
of Commodore Stephen Decatur. 

DeKalb. — See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Compila- 
tion, p. 122), establishing it. Called after Baron 
DeKalb, who fell in defence of American free- 
dom at the battle of Camden, S. C, August 19, 
1780. 

Dodge. — See Act of October 26, 1870 (Laws of 1870, p. 18), 
establishing it. Called after Hon. William E. 
Dodge, of New York. 

Dooly. — See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 182 1 (Dawson's 
Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Named 
in honor of Colonel John Dooly, who was mur- 
dered by the Tories in 1780. 



14 

Dougherty. — See Act of December 15, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, 
p. 296), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Charles Dougherty, of Clarke county, Judge, 
etc. 

Douglas. — See Act of October 17, 1870 (Laws of 1870, pp. 
13-14), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Stephen A. Douglas. 

Early. — See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (La- 
mar's Compilation, p. 417 ), establishing it. 
Called after the Hon. Peter Early, Governor of 
Georgia, etc. 

Echols. — See Act of December 13, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 
38), establishing it. Called after Hon. Robert 
M. Echols, of Walton county. 

Effingham. — See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 
(Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named 
in honor of the Earl of Efhngham, an ardent 
supporter of Colonial rights. 

Elbert. — See Act of December 10, 1890 (Marbury and Craw- 
ford's Digest, p. 163), establishing it. Named 
in honor of his Excellency, Governor Samuel 
Elbert of Georgia, General in the Continental 
army, etc. 

Emanuel. — See Act of December 10, 1S12 (Lamar's Com- 
pilation, p. 197), establishing it. Called after 
the Hon. David Emanuel, Governor of Georgia, 
etc. 

Fannin. — See Act of January 21, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, P- 
298), establishing it. Called after Colonel J. W. 
Fannin, who was killed by the Mexicans at Go- 
liad, in March, 1836. 

Fayette.— See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 182 1 (Dawson's 
Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Named 
in honor of the Marquis de LaFayette. 



15 

Floyd. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 57), 
establishing it. Named in honor of General 
John Floyd, Member of Congress, etc. 

Forsyth. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws ot 1832, p. 
56), establishing it. Called after the Hon. John 
Forsyth, Governor of Georgia, Secretary of 
State under President Jackson, etc. 

Franklin. -See Act of February 25, 1784 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 330), establishing it. 
Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. 

Fulton. — See Act of December 20, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 
300), establishing it. Called after the famous 
Robert Fulton. 

Gilmer. — See Act of December 3, 1832, (Laws of 1832, p. 
57), establishing it. Called after the Hon. 
George R. Gilmer, Governor of Georgia, etc. 

Glascock. — See Act of December 19, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p. 
35), establishing it. Named in honor of General 
Thomas Glascock, of Richmond county. 

Glynn. — See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Wat- 
kins' Digest, p . 8), establishing it. Called after 
John Glynn, Esq., distinguished for his unwa- 
vering support of the Colonies. 

Gordon. — See Act of February 13, 1850 (Laws of 1849-50, p. 
124), estabhshing it. Named in honor of Wil- 
liam W. Gordon, of Savannah, "the pioneer of 
works of internal improvement in his native 
State, and first President of the Central Rail- 
road and Banking Company of Georgia." 

Greene. — See Act of February 3, 1786 (Marbury and Craw- 
ford's Digest, p. 162), estabhshing it. Called 
after Major General Nathanael Greene. 



16 

Gwinnett. — See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 18 18 
(Lamar's Compilation, p. 418), establishing it. 
Named in honor of Button Gwinnett, Signer 
from Georgia of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, and President and Commander-in-chief of 
Republican Georgia in i777- 

Habersham. — See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 
(Lamar's Compilation, p. 418), establishing it- 
Called after Hon. James Habersham, acting 
Royal Governor of the province of Georgia in 
1771, during the absence of Sir James Wright. 

Hall. — See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (La- 
mar's Compilation, p. 418), establishing it. 
Called after Hon. Lyman Hall, signer from 
Georgia of the Declaration of Independence, 
Governor of Georgia, etc. 

Hancock. — See Act of December 17, 1793 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 164), establishing it. 
Named in honor of John Hancock, President of 
the Continental Congress, signer from Massa- 
chusetts of the Declaration of Independence, 
etc. 

Haralson. — See Act of January 26, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, pp 
1 10-12), establishing it. Called after Hon 
Hugh A. Haralson, Member of Congress, etc- 

Harris. — See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compila 
tion, p. 137), establishing it. Named after Hon 
Charles Harris, of Savannah, Judge etc., who 
in his day, "was regarded by many as the most 
profound lawyer in the State." 

Hart. — See Act of December 7, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, PP- 
302-3), establishing it. Called after Nancy 
Hart, of Revolutionary memory. 



17 

Heard. — See A.ct of December 22, 1830 (Laws of 1830, p, 
48), establishing it. Called after Hon. Stephen 
Heard, President of the Executive Council, and 
de facto Governor of Georgia in 1780. 

Henry. — See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 182 1 (Dawson's 
Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Named 
in honor of Patrick Henry, of Virginia. 

Houstoun. — See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 182 1 (Daw- 
son's Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. 
Called after Hon. John Houstoun, Republican 
Governor of Georgia in 1778, and Governor of 
Georgia in 1784. 

Irwin. — See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (La- 
mar's Compilation, p. 4T7), establishing it. 
Called after Hon. Jared Irwin, Governor of 
Georgia, etc. 

Jackson. — See Act of February 11, 1796 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 168), establishing it. 
Called after his Excellency, General James 
Jackson, Governor of Georgia, United States 
Senator from Georgia, etc. 

Jasper. — First laid out and known as Randolph county (See 
Act of December 10, 1807, Clayton's Compila- 
tion, pp. 357-8). Name changed to Jasper, in 
honor of Sergeant William Jasper, by Act of 
December 10, 181 2 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 
199). 

Jefferson. — See Act of February 20, 1796 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, pp. 169-70), establishing it. 
Called after Thomas Jefferson, of glorious 
memory. 

Johnson. — See Act of December n, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 
32), establishing it. Called after Hon. Herschel 
V. Johnson, Governor of Georgia, etc. 



18 

Jones. — See Act of December lo, 1807 (Clayton's Compila- 
tion, p. 358), establishing it. Named after Flon. 
James Jones, Member of Congress, etc. 

Laurens. — See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Compi- 
lation, p. 358), establishing it. Named in honor 
of Colonel John JLaurens, who was killed in the 
Revolutionary war, near Combahee, S. C, Au- 
gust 27, 1782. 

Lee. — See Act of December 11, 1826 (Dawson's Compilation, 
p. 132), establishing it. Called after Richard 
Henry Lee of Virginia, who, on June 7> 177^, 
in his place in the Continental Congress, moved 
" that the colonies declare themselves free and 
independent." 

Liberty. — See Sec. IV., Constitution of Greorgia of 1777 
(Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. As a 
tribute to the early and conspicuous devotion of 
the citizens of St. John's Parish to the cause of 
freedom, this county was so called. 

Lincoln. — See Act of February 20, 1796 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 170), establishing it. 
Called after Major General Benjamin Lincoln. 

Lowndes. — See Act of December 23, 1825 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 128), establishing it. Named after 
Hon. William J. Lowndes of South Carolina, 
Member of Congress, etc., whom Henry Clay 
pronounced to be *' the wisest man he had ever 
known in Congress. " 

Lumpkin. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 
56), establishing it. Called after Hon. Wilson 
Lumpkin, Governor of Georgia, United States 
Senator from Georgia, etc. 



19 

McDuffie. — See Act of October i8, 1870 (Laws of 1870, p. 
20), establishing it. Called after Hon. George 
McDuffie, United States Senator from South 
Carolina, etc. 

Mcintosh.— See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marburj^ and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 167), establishing it. So 
named to commemorate the services of the Mc- 
intosh family (Colonel John, General Lachlan 
^Iclntosh, etc.) 

Macon. — See Act of December 14, 1837 (Laws of 1837, pp. 
06-7), establishing it. Named in honor of 
Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina. 

Madison. — See Act of December 5, i8ji .(Lamar's Compila- 
tion, pp. 181-2), establishing it. Called after 
James Madison', President of the United States. 

Marion. — See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compi- 
lation, p. 137), establishing it. Named in honor 
of General Francis Marion. 

Meriwether. — See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's 
Compilation, p. 137), establishing it. Called 
after General David Meriwether. 

Miller. — See Act of February 26, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, pp. 
1 14-15), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Andrew J. Miller of Augusta. 

Milton. — See Act of December 18, 1857 (Laws of 1857, pp. 
36-7), establishing it. Called, according to one 
authority, after John Milton, an officer of the 
Georgia Continental forces, who was subse- 
quently Secretary of State of the Common- 
wealth; according to another, the county is 
named after Colonel Homer V. TVIilton, of 
Jefferson county, Georgia, an officer in the old 
United States Army. 



20 

Mitchell. — See Act of December 21, 1S57 (Laws of 1857, p. 
38), establishing it. Called after General Henry 
Mitchell, a resident and one of the early settlers 
of Hancock county. 

Monroe. — See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 1821 (Dawson's 
Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Called 
after James Monroe, President of the United 
States. 

Montgomery. — See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 167), establishing it. 
Named in honor of General Richard Mont- 
gomery, an early martyr to the cause of Ameri- 
can liberty. 

Morgan. — See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Com- 
pilation, p. 357), establishing it. Called after 
General Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary 
memory. 

Murray. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 
57), establishing it. Called after Hon. Thomas 
W. Murray, of Lincoln county. 

Muscogee. — See Act of December ir, 1826 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 132), establishing it. Indian name. 

Neioton. — See Act of December 24, 182 1 (Dawson's Compila- 
tion, p. 119), establishing it. Named in honor 
of Sergeant John Newton, of Revolutionary 
celebrity. 

Oconee. — See Act of February 25, 1875 (Laws of 1875, PP* 
109-10), establishing it. Indian name. 

Oglethorpe. --^See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 166), establishing it. 
Named in honor of General Oglethorpe, the 
founder of the colony of Georgia. 



21 

Paulding. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 
58), establishing il. Called after John Pauld- 
ing, one of the captors of Major Andre. 

Pickens. — See Act of December 5, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 
306), establishing it. Named in honor of General 
Andrew Pickens. 

Pierce. — See Act of December 18, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p. 41), 
establishing it. Called after Franklin Pierce, 
President of the United States. 

Pike. — See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Compilation, 
p. 122), establishing it. Called after General 
Zebulon M.Pike. 

Polk. — See Act of December 20, 1851 (Laws of 1851-2, pp. 
52-3), establishing it. Called after James K. 
Polk, President of the United States. 

Pulaski. — See Act of December 13, 1808 (Clayton's Com- 
pilation, p. 470), establishing it. Named in 
honor of Count Casimir Pulaski. 

Putnam. — See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Com- 
pilation, p. 358), establishing it. Called after 
Major-General Israel Putnam. 

Quitman. — See Act of December 10, 1858 (Laws of 1858, 
pp. 28-9), establishing it. Called after General 
John A. Quitman. 

Rabun. — See Land Lottery Act of December 21, 18 19 (La- 
mar's Compilation, pp. ^29 -30), establishing it. 
Named after Hon. William Rabun, Governor 
of Georgia, etc. 

Randolph. — See Act of December 20, 1828 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 138), establishing it. Named in 
honor of John Randolph of Roanoke. 



22 

Michmond. — See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 
(Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named 
in honor of the Duke of Richmond, a warm 
friend of American Hberty. 

Rockdale. — See Act of October 18, 1870 (Laws of 1870, 
pp. 16-17), establishing it. So called because 
of the geological characteristics of the locality, 
and the underl3-ing granite formation. 

Schley. — See Act of December 22, LS57 (Laws of 1857, p. 
42), establishing it. Chilled after Hon. William 
Schle}^ Governor of Georgia. 

Screven. — See Act of December 14, 1793 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, p. 165), establishing it. 
Named after General James Screven, who fell 
at the affair near Midway church, in November, 
1778. 

Spalding. — See Act of December 20, 1851 (Laws of 1851-52, 
pp. 58-9), estabhshing it. Called after Hon. 
Thomas Spalding, Member of Congress, etc. 

Stewart. — See Act of December 23, 1830 (Laws of 1830, p. 
50), establishing it. Called after General Daniel 
Stewart, of Liberty county, an active partizan 
officer in the Army of the Revolution. 

Sumter. — See Act of December 26, 1831 (Laws of 1831, p. 
76), establishing it. Called after Major General 
Thomas Sumter, of Revolutionary distinction. 

Talbot. — See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compila- 
tion, p. 137), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Matthew Talbot, Governor of Georgia, etc. 

Taliaferro. — See Act of December 24, 1825 (Dawson's Com- 
pilation, p. 129), establishing it. Named after 
Hon. Benjamin Taliaferro, Member of Con- 
gress, etc. 



23 

Tattnall. — See Act of December 5, 1801 (Clayton's Com- 
pilation, p. 34), establishing it. Called after 
Hon. Josiah Tattnall, Governor of Georgia, etc. 

Taylor. — See Act of January 15, 1S52 (Laws of 185 1-2, p. 
61), establishing it. Called after General Zach- 
ary Taylor, President of the United States. 

Telfair. — See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Compila- 
tion, p. 358), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Edward Telfair, Governor of Georgia, etc. 

Terrell. — See Act of February 16, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, 
p. 117), esiablishing it. Named in honor of 
Dr. William Terrell, of Hancock county. 

Thomas. —See Act of December 23, 1825 (Dawson's Compi- 
lation, p. 128), estabhshing it. Called after 
General Jett Thomas, one of the early settlers 
of Baldwin county. 

Towns. — See Act of March 6, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 121), 
establishing it. Named after Hon. George W. 
Towns, Governor of Georgia, etc. 

Troup. — See Act of December 11, 1826 (Dawson's Compi- 
lation, p. 132), establishing it. Called after 
Hon. George Mcintosh Troup, Governor of 
Georgia, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. 

Tnnggs. — See Act of December 14, 1809 (Clayton's Compi- 
lation, p. 566), esteiblishing it. Named in honor 
of General John Twiggs, of Revolutionary 
memory. 

Union. — See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 56), 
establishing it. For the probable origin of the 
name of this county, see Sherwood's Gazetteer, 
3rd ed., p. 245 — Washington City, 1837 — 
where we are informed that it was called 
Union because none but Union men resided in 
it; — i. e., Union men in contradistinction to States' 
rights men or NuUifiers. 



24 

Upson. — See Act of December 15, 1824 (Dawson's Compi- 
lation, p. 127), establishing it. Called after 
Hon. Stephen Upson, of Oglethorpe county, an 
eminent lawyer, and one of the first men of his 
day in Georgia. 

Walker. — See Act of December 18, 1833 (Laws of 1833, pp. 
32-3), establishing it. Named in honor of Major 
Freeman Walker, U. S. Senator from Geor- 
gia, etc. 

Walton. — See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 
(Lamar's Compilation, pp. 417-18), establishing 
it. Named after Hon. George Walton, signer 
from Georgia of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, Governor of Georgia, etc., etc. 

Ware. — See Act of December 15, 1824 (Dawson's Compila- 
tion, p. 127), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Nicholas Ware, U. S. Senator from Georgia, 

Warren. — See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbur}' & Craw- 
ford's Digest, p. 166), establi:>hing it. Named 
in honor of Major-General Joseph Warren, who 
fell at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

Washington. — See Act of February 25, 1784 (Marbury and 
Crawford's Digest, pp. 330-31), establishing it. 
Called after General George Washington. 

Wayne. — See Land Lottery Act of May 11, 1803 (Clayton's 
Compilation, p. loi), establishing it. Named 
in honor of Major-General Anthony Wayne. 

Webster. — See Act of February 21, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, 
p. 414), changing name of Kinchafoonee county 
(established by Act of December 16, 1853 — 
Laws of 1853-4, p. 304) to Webster county, in 
honor of the great statesman and orator, Daniel 
Webster. 



25 

White. — See Act of December 22, 1857 (Laws of 1857, 
pp. 44-5), establishing it. Called after Hon. 
Hugh L. White of Tennessee. 

Whitejield. — See Act of December 30, 185 1 (Laws of 185 1-2, 
p. 56), establishing it. Named in honor of the 
Reverend George Whitefield, the celebrated 
preacher. 

Wilcox. — See Act of December 22, 1857 (Laws of 1857, 
p . 46) , estabhshing it. Called after Captain John 
Wilcox, one of the early settlers of Telfair 
county. 

Wilkes. — See Sect. IV, Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Wat- 
kins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Called after 
John Wilkes, the great champion of American 
liber t3^ 

Wilkinson. — See Land Lottery Act of May [i, i8o3( Cla\^- 
ton's Compilation, p. 101), establishing it. 
Named in honor of General James Wilkinson. 

Worth. — See Act of December 20, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, 
p. 308), establishing it. Called after General 
William J. Worth. 



By Paragraph II., Section I., Article XI. of the State Consti- 
tution of 1877 (Code of Georgia, 1882, p. 1325), it is d^eclared 
that "no new county shall be created." 



Apropos to the naming of the several counties, it may be 
mentioned that the Rev. George White's Statistics of ihr 
State of Georgia (Savannah, 1849), and his Historical Collec- 
tions of Georgia (New York, 1854), throw much light upon the 
subject. 



26 

The area of Georgia with respect to land surface, as com- 
puted by the census of 1880, is 58,980 sq. mi. The two largest 
counties in the Commonwealth are those of Decatur and Tatt- 
nall. The former contains 1,160 sq. mi., and the latter 1,100 
sq. mil. The areas of AppHng, Charlton, Emanuel and Burke 
counties all transcend 1,000 sq. mi. Coffee county contains 980 
sq. mi., and Bulloch and Clinch counties embrace an area of 
900 sq. mi. Nine counties in the State contain more than 700 
sq. mi., and five more than 600 sq. mi. There are sixteen 
counties in the State which contain 500 sq. mi. or the rise, 
and thirty-two which have an area of 400 or more sq. mi. 
I'wenty-seven counties contain 300 sq. mi. and the rise, 
and twenty-three 200 or more sq. mi. Fifteen counties con- 
tain more than 100 sq. mi. Glascock county is the small- 
est county in Georgia, and contains 100 sq. mi. 



27 



CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. 



Under the Federal Constitution of 1787 Georgia's appor- 
tionment of Representatives in Congress was three. On the 
8th of December, 1790, the Legislature divided the State into 
three congressional districts. (See Stevens' History of 
Georgia, Vol. II., p. 394, Philadelphia, 1859.) By the first 
census of the United States the representation of the Common- 
v^^eaith in the Lower House of Congress was fixed at two 
members, they being elected on the general ticket. Under 
the second census Georgia had four Representatives; under 
the third she had six, and under the fourth seven. By Act of 
December 22, 1825 (Dawson's Compilation, pp. 161-2), the 
State was laid off and divided into seven congressional dis- 
tricts. This statute was, however, repealed in the following 
year (see Act of December 18, 1826, Dawson's Compilation, 
p. 168); and it was not until 1S43 that the congressional dis- 
trict system came again into play.^^ In pursuance of an Act 
approved December 23d of that year (see Laws of 1843, pp. 
54-56), Georgia was divided into eight congressional districts^ 
Twenty-eight years later, when an Act to lay out and estab- 
lish congressional districts in this State in conformity with the 
last apportionment of representation in the Congress of the 
United States (see Act of July 30, 1872, — Laws of 1872, pp. 12- 
13), passed the General Assembly, the number of districts was 
increased to nine . The present status of congressional districts 
dates from 1883. By an Act assented to August 28th of that 
year (Laws of 1882-3, PP- 12 1-2), the Commonwealth of 
Georgia was divided into ten congressional districts. This 
was done in pursuance of, and in conformity with, an Act of 

♦See section II. of Census Act of June 25, 1842 (United States Statutes at 
Large, Vol. V., p. 491), whereby it was declared that, in every case where 
a State was entitled to more than one Repre&entative in Congress, the mem- 
bers should be elected by districts, each district electing one Representative. 



28 

Congress approved on Feburary 25th of the preceding year. 
(U. S. Statutes of 1881-2, pp. 5-6.) It was provided in 
the enactment above referred to, — that of August 28, 
1883, — that the First Congressional District should be com- 
posed of the counties of Appling, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, 
Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, 
G-lynn, Liberty, Mcintosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Ware 
and Wayne; that the Second Congressional District shouhd 
consist of the counties of Baker, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, 
Clay, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Lowndes, Miller, 
?vlilchell, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Thomas and Worth; 
that the Third Congressional District should be composed of 
the counties of Coffee, Dodge, Dooly, Houstoun, Irwin, Laurens, 
Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Pulaski, Schley, Stewart, vSumter, 
Telfair, Webster and Wilcox; that the Fourth Congressional 
District should consist of the counties of Carroll, Chattahoochee, 
Coweta, Harris, Heard, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Tal- 
bot, Taylor and Troup; thai the Fifth Congressional District 
should be composed of the counties of Campbell, Clayton, 
DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Henry, Newton, Rock- 
dale, Spalding and Walton; that the Sixth Congressional Dis- 
trict should consist of the counties of Baldwin, Bibb, Butts, 
Crawford, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Pike, Twiggs, Upson and 
Wilkinson; that ihe Seventh Congressional District should be 
composed of the counties of Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, 
Cobb, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, 
Polk, Walker, and Whitefield; that the Eighth Congressional 
District should consist of the counties of Clarke, Franklin, El- 
bert, Greene, Hancock, Hart, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, 
Oglethorpe, Putnam and Wilkes; that the Ninth Con- 
gressional District should he. composed of the counties of Banks, 
Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, 
Habersham, Jackson, Lumpkin, Milton, Rabun, Pickens, 
Towns, Union and White; and that the Tenth Congressional 
District should consist of the counties of Burke, Columbia, 
Glascock, Jefferson, Johnson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, 
Taliaferro, Warren and Washington. 



29 

By an Act to divide the State of Georgia into eleven 
congressional districts, in conformity to an Act of the 
Congress of the United States, approved February 7, 
1891,* — assented to September 26, 1891 (Laws of 1890- 
'91, Vol. I., p. 193), it was provided that the First 
District shall be composed of the counties of Chatham, 
Burke, Screven, Emanuel, Bulloch, Effingham, Bryan, Tatt- 
nall, Liberty and Mcintosh ; that the Second District shall 
consist of the counties of Quitman, Clay, Randolph, Ter- 
rell, Calhoun, Dougherty, Worth, Early, Baker, Miller, 
Mitchell, Colquitt, Berrien, Decatur and Thomas; that 
the Third District shall comprise Stewart, Webster, Sumter, 
Lee, Dooly, Wilcox, Schley, Pulaski, Twiggs, Houstoun, 
Macon, Taylor and Crawfoid counties; that the counties 
of Muscogee, Marion, Talbot, Harris, Meriwether, Troup, 
Coweta, Heard, Carroll and Chattahoochee shall constitute 
the Fourth Congressional District; that the Fifth District 
shall be composed of Fulton, Douglas, Campbell, Clayton, 
DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Walton counties ; that 
the counties of Bibb, Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Upson, Pike, 
Spalding, Fayette, Henry and Butts shall form the Sixth 
District; that the Seventh Congressional District shall con- 
sist of the counties of Haralson, Paulding, Cobb, Polk, 
Floyd, Bartow, Chattooga, Gordon, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, 
Whitefield and Murray; that the Eighth District shall com- 
prise Jasper, Putnam, Morgan, Greene, Oconee, Clarke, Ogle- 
thorpe, Madison, Elbert, Hart, Franklin and Wilkes counties; 
that the counties of Fannin, Union, Towns, Rabun, Haber- 
sham, White, Lumpkin, Dawson, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, 
Forsyth, Milton, Gwinnett, Jackson, Hall and Banks shall be 
included in the Ninth District; that the Tenth District 
shall embrace ihe counties of Richmond, Columbia, Lin- 
coln, Jefferson, Glascock, McDuffie, Warren, Taliaferro, 



'See U. S. Statutes, 1890-91— Vol. II., pp. 735-6. The Act declares that 
the proposed change in apportionment shall not take effect until after the third 
of March, 1S93. 



30 



Washington, Wilkinson and Hancock; and that the Eleventh 
Congressional District shall be composed of the counties of 
Glynn, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Dodge, Telfair, Irwin, 
Coffee, Appling, Wayne, Pierce, Ware, Clinch, Echols, 
Lowndes, Brooks, Charlton and Camden. 



:u 



STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS. 



Senatorial districts were first established in Georgia by con- 
stitutional amendment in 1843. Section II. of an Act ap- 
proved December 23d of that year (Laws of 1843, pp. 17- 
19) declared that the State should be divided into forty-seven 
senatorial districts . All of those districts, with the exception 
of the first or Chatham county, were to consist each of two 
counties. From every one of them a State Senator was to 
be chosen. 

By paragraph I., section II., article II. of the Constitution of 
Georgia, as amended by the State Convention which assembled 
at Savannah in 1861 (Code of Georgia, 1861, p. 964), pro- 
vision was made for the establishment of fort3'--four senato- 
rial districts instead of forty-seven as theretofore. Each dis- 
trict was to be composed of three contiguous counties, and 
was entitled to one Senator. This order of affairs, in the 
main, still obtains, and paragraph I., section II., article IIL of 
the Constitution of Georgia of 1877 (Code of 1882, pp. 1295- 
6), declares that of the forty-four State Senatorial Districts 
the first shall be composed of the counties of Chatham, 
Bryan and Effingham ; — the second of the counties of 
Liberty, Tattnall and Mcintosh ; — the third of the counties 
of Wayne, Pierce and Appling; — the fourth of the coun- 
ties of Glynn, Camden and Charlton ; — the fifth of Coffee, 
Ware and Clinch counties : — the sixth of Echols, Lowndes 
and Berrien counties; — the seventh of the counties of 
Brooks, Thomas and Colquitt; — the eighth of the counties 
of Decatur, Mitchell and Miller; — the ninth of Early, Cal- 
houn and Baker counties ;-— the tenth of Dougherty, Lee 
and Worth counties ; — the eleventh of the counties of 
Clay, Randolph and Terrell ; — the twelfth of Stewart, 
Webster and Quitman counties : - — the thirteenth of the 
counties of Sumter, Schley and Macon ; — the fourteenth 



32 

of the counties of Dooly, Wilcox, Pulaski and Dodge; — 
the fifteenth of the counties of Montgomery, Telfair and 
Irwin ; — the sixteenth of Laurens, Emanuel and Johnson 
counties ; — the seventeenth of the counties of Screven, 
Bulloch and Burke ; — the eighteenth of Richmond, Glas- 
cock and Jefferson counties ; — the 7iineteenth of the coun- 
ties of Taliaferro, Greene and Warren ; — the twentieth of 
Baldwin, Hancock and Washington counties ; — the twenty- 
first of the counties of Twiggs, Wilkinson and Jones ; — the 
twenty-second of the counties of Bibb, Monroe and Pike ; — 
the twenty-third of Houstoun, Crawford and Taylor coun- 
ties ; — the twenty-fourth of the counties of Muscogee, 
Marion and Chattahoochee ; — the twenty-fifth of Harris, 
Upson, and Talbot counties ; — the twenty-sixth of the 
counties of Spalding, Butts and Fayette ; — the twenty- 
seventh of Newton, Walton, Clarke, Oconee and Rock- 
dale counties ; — the twenty-eighth of the counties of Jas- 
per, Putnam and Morgan ; — the twenty-ninth of Wilkes, 
Columbia, Lincoln and McDuffie counties ; — the thirtieth 
of the counties of Oglethorpe, Madison and Elbert ; — the 
thirty-first of Hart, Habersham and Franklin counties ; — 
the thirty-second of White, Dawson and Lumpkin coun- 
ties ; — the thirty-third of the counties of Hall, Banks and 
Jackson ; — the thirty-fourth of the counties of Gwinnett, 
DeKalb and Henry ; — the thirty-fifth of Clayton, Cobb 
and Fulton counties ; — the thirty-sixth of Campbell, Coweta, 
Meriwether and Douglas counties ; — the thirty -seventh of 
the counties of Carroll, Heard and Troup ; — the thirty- 
eighth of the counties of Haralson, Polk and Paulding ; — the 
thirty-ninth of Milton, Cherokee and Forsyth counties ; — the 
fortieth of Union, Towns and Rabun counties ; — the forty-first 
of Pickens, Fannin and Gilmer counties ; — the forty-second 
of the counties of Bartow, Floyd and Chattooga; — iho. forty- 
third of Murray, Gordon and Whitefield counties ; — and the 
forty-fourth of the counties of Walker, Dade and Catoosa. 



3S 

By paragraph II., section II. of the same article we are 
advised that, while it is permissible for the General Assembly 
of the State to change these senatorial districts after each 
census of the United States, neither the number of districts 
nor the number of Senators from each district shall be in- 
creased. 



34 



JUDICIAL CIRCUITS. 



According to the Georgia Code (18S2, p. 17) the entire 
State constitutes one Supreme Judicial District. It is divided 
into twenty-three Judicial Circuits in reference to the juris- 
diction and sessions of the Superior Courts, which circuits are 
as follows: 

(1) Albany Circuit. Organized by Act of October 17, 
1870 (L iws of 1S70, p. 37). It now comprises Baker, Cal- 
houn, Decatur, Doughert}', Mitchell and Worth counties. 

(2J Atlanta Circuit. See Act of February 2t, 1869 (Laws 
of 1869, p. 20), changing the name of Coweta Judicial Cir- 
cuit (orgmized by Act of December 16, 1833 — Laws of 1833, 
p. 76) to Atlanta Circuit. Fulton county now composes it. 

(3) Augusta Circuit. Organized by Act of October 24, 
1870 (Laws of 1S70, p. 38). It now consists of Burke, 
Coluii-bia, McDuflie and Kichmond counties. 

(4) Blue Ridge Circuit. Organized by Act of November 
24, 1851 (Laws of 1851-2, pp. 219-20). Now composed of 
Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Milton 
and Pickens counties. 

(5) Brunswick Circuit. Organized by Act of February 
8, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 215). It now comprises Ap- 
pling, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Glynn, Pierce, 
Ware and Wayne counties. 

(6) Chattahoochee Circuit. Organized by Act of Decem- 
ber 22, 1826 (Laws of 1826, p. 58). Now composed of 
Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot and Taylor 
counties. 

(7) Cherokee Circuit. Organized by Act of December 3, 
1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 60), r.nd now consisting of Bartow, 
Catoosa, Dade, Gordon, Mairiiy and Whitefield counties. 

(8) Coweta Circuit. See Act of February 28, 1874 (Laws 
of 1874, p. 43), changing the name of Tallapoosa Circuit 



35 

(organized by Act of February 28, 1856 — Laws of 1855-6, 
pp. 216-17), to that of Coweta Circuit. Now composed of 
Campbell, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether and 
Troup counties. 

(9) Eastern Circuit. First organized by Act of February 
9, 1797 (Watkins' Digest, p. 620) : — An Act to revise and 
amend the Judiciary system of the State. Reorganized by 
Act of December 19, r8i8 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361): — 
An Act to lay off six Judicial Circuits in this State including 
those already laid out. It now comprises Chatham, Bryan, 
Effingham, Mcintosh and Liberty counties. 

(10) Flint Circuit. Organized by Act of December 24, 
1821 (Laws of 1821, p. 46), and now composed of Butts, 
Henry, Monroe, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties. 

(11) Macon Circuit. Organized by Act of November 24, 
i85[ (Laws of 1851-2, p. 220). It now consists of Craw- 
ford, Houstoun and Bibb counties. 

(12) Middle Circuit. First organized bv Act of February 
9,1797 (Watkins' D.gest, p. 620). Reorganized by Act of 
December 19, [818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361). Now 
composed of Bulloch, Kmanuel. Jefferson, Johnson, Screven, 
Tattnall and Washington counties. 

(13) Nurtheastcrn Circuit. Created by Act of August 8, 
18S1 (Laws of 18S0-1, pp. 1 2—13). It now consists of llall, 
Habersham, Rabun, Towns, While, Lumpkin and Union 
counties. 

(i.j) Northern Circuit. Orgnnized b}- Act of December 19, 
1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361), and now comprising 
Elbert, Glascock, Hancock, Hart, Lincoln, Madison, Ogle- 
thorpe, T.iliaferro, Warren and Wilkes counties. 

(15) Ocmulgee Circuit. First organized by Act of Decem- 
ber 10, 1807 (Clayton's Compilation, pp. 359-361), and re- 
organized by Act of December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compila- 
tion, p. 361). It now consists of Baldwin, Greene, Laurens, 
Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putnam and Wilkinson counties. 

(16) Oconee Circuit. Orginized by Act of December 12, 
87c (Li.vi of 1871 and '72, p. 32). Now compoieJ of 



36 

Dodge, Irwin, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Twiggs and 
Wilcox counties. 

(17) Pataula Circuit. Created by Act of February 8, 1856 
(Laws of 1855-6, p. 216). It now comprises the counties of 
Clay, Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph and Terrell. 

(18) Rome Circuit. Organized by Act of February 21, 
1869 (Laws of 1869, p. 20). At present it consists of the 
counties of Floyd, Chattooga and Walker. 

(19) Southern Circuit. Organized by Act of December 19, 
1S18 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361). It now comprises Ber- 
rien, Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, I^owndes and Thomas counties. 

(20) Southwestern Circuit. Organized by Act of Decem- 
ber 10, 1840 (Laws of 1840, p. 112). It is now composed of 
Webster, Schley, Stewart, Lee, Macon, Dooly and Sumter 
counties. 

(21) Stone Mountain Circuit. Created by Act of Septem- 
ber 8, 1885 (Laws of 1884-5, pp. 108-9), ^^^ ^^^ consisting 
of Clayton, DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. 

(22) Tallapoosa Circuit. Created by Act of November 26, 
1890 (Laws of i89o-'9i, Vol. i, p. 89), and now consisting 
of the counties of Polk, Paulding, Haralson and Douglas. 

(23) Western Circuit. First organized by Act of February 
9, 1797 (Watkins' Digest, p. 620). Reorgmized by Act of 
December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361). At pre- 
sent — I follow the Superior Court calendar as revised for 1892, 
which was published with the first volume of Georgia Laws 
for 1890-91,— composed of the counties of Banks, Clarke, 
Oconee, Franklin, Gwinnett, Jackson and Walton. 



37 



SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE. 



In connection with the Judicial Circuits, it may be mentioned 
that under the Act organizing the Supreme Court of Georgia, 
approved December lO, 1S45 (Laws of 1845, pp. 18-24), 
provision was made for ibe laying off and establishment of 
five Judicial districts. These districts were formed with refer- 
ence to the sessions of the Supreme Court, and were as fol- 
lows: 

The First District was composed of the Eastern and Southern 
Judicial Circuits; the Second comprised the Southwestern and 
Chattahoochee Judicial Circuits. The Third District conshttd 
of the Coweta and Flint Judicial Circuits; the Fourth com- 
prised the Western and Cherokee Judicial Circuits, while the 
Fifth District was composed of the Middle, Noithern and 
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuits. 

The Supreme Court continued to hold its sessions at the 
several points designated within these districts until 1868. By 
the Constitution then framed it was declared (see Section II., 
Paragraph II., Article V. of the Constitution of 1868, Code 
of Georgia, 1873, p. 918), that the ambulatory character of 
that tribunal must terminate, and that thenceforth its place of 
meeting should be the seat of Government of the Common- 
wealth. Since December, 1868, the Supreme Court has been 
permanently established at the State capital, Atlanta, Georgia. 

February, 1892, 



6 



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